Historically Thinking

Richard Reid, a Professor of African History at the University of Oxford, delves into the vibrant history leading up to the colonial scramble for Africa. He discusses the transformative political and economic changes in 19th-century Tanzania, emphasizing a key commercial highway. Reid highlights the entrepreneurial legacy of figures like Tipu Tip, the complex interplay of local leaders and external forces, and the 'Great Convergence' of Africa and Europe. His insights challenge traditional narratives, revealing the richness of African history.

Join James Crossland, a Professor of International History and co-director at Liverpool John Moores University, as he unpacks the thrilling life of Robert Bruce Lockhart—a diplomat, conspirator, and propagandist. Discover Lockhart's audacious escapades during the Bolshevik Revolution and how he navigated complex political landscapes. From his extravagant journalism to failed rubber plantations, Crossland reveals Lockhart's captivating duality and his role in wartime propaganda. Dive into the machinations of history with stories that read like fiction!

Albert Einstein died in 1955, the most influential scientist of the 20th century. Yet even in the 21st-century his intellectual presence remains – seven of the noble prizes awarded since 2000 stemmed directly from the work which he did in 1905 and 1915. More even than Isaac Newton’s bewigged and apple-pelted image, Einstein’s pervades popular culture, from that photo with his tongue sticking out to coffee mugs to intellectual exercises for your toddler. He has become so ubiquitous that perhaps we have come to forget that he was a real person, whose life is interconnected with the most important political and intellectual movements of his life, from Zionism to Nazism, from pacifism to nuclear weapons. In their beautifully concise new  biography, Free Creations of the Human Mind: The World of Albert Einstein, Michael Gordin and Diana Kormos Buchwald present an Einstein who is embedded in his historical context, and who has a range of interests, passions, and ideas that are perhaps generally unappreciated. In the process they disentangle controversies, destroy myths, and provide a nuanced account of a remarkable life in turbulent times. Michael D. Gordin is Rosengarten Professor of Modern and Contemporary History at Princeton University, where he also serves as Dean of the College. Diana Kormos Buchwald, who could not be with us for the recording,  is General Editor and director of the Albert Einstein Papers.

Join Alex Mikaberidze, a Professor of History known for his expertise in the Napoleonic Wars, and Scott Eric Nelson, an award-winning author specializing in 19th-century history, as they delve into the importance of intellectual humility among historians. They discuss the impact of historical memory shaped by personal experiences and the interconnectedness of historical figures like Napoleon. Additionally, they unravel the myth of John Henry, revealing his true significance in American labor history, while highlighting the joys of rediscovering authentic narratives.

David Staley, an associate professor at The Ohio State University, dives into the future in this engaging discussion. He presents "twenty histories of the future" from his book, exploring predictions about AI, democracy, and education. Staley emphasizes the importance of historical context for anticipating future events and reflects on his past pandemic predictions. The conversation also touches on social mood's impact on governance, innovative suburban energy solutions, and even the intriguing concept of city secessionism. Prepare to envision some thought-provoking futures!

Thomas Albert Howard, a professor of humanities and history at Valparaiso University, discusses his new book, which challenges the assumption that secularism is inherently less violent than religion. He argues that various forms of secularism, especially during tumultuous periods like the French Revolution, have instigated significant violence. Howard also delves into the conflicts between Marxism and religious practices in Russia, the implications of France's 1905 secular laws, and the transformative effects of Kemalism on Turkey's identity.

In 1845 a water mold named Phytophthora Infestans which afflicts potato and tomato plants began to spread across Europe, killing potatoes from Sweden to Spain. “The potato blight caused crisis everywhere it appeared in Europe,” writes my guest Padraic X. Scanlan; “in Ireland, it caused an apocalypse.” In 1845, a third of the United Kingdom’s population lived in Ireland; an 1841 census had counted a population of 8.2 million. In the next six years, 1 million of them would die from famine related causes; another 1.5 million had emigrated. The 1851 census totaled the Irish population at 6.5 million, and the population of Ireland would continue to decline for another 100 years. “Although the labouring poor ate potatoes throughout northern and western Europe, only Ireland experienced demographic collapse during and after the blight pandemic.” And the consequences of the famine were more than demographic. It frayed or destroyed communal and familial relationships, and must have led to long-lasting psychological trauma. Padraic X. Scanlan is an associate professor at the Centre for Industrial Relations and Human Resources and the Centre for Diaspora & Transnational Studies at the University of Toronto. The author of two previous books, his latest is Rot: An Imperial History of the Irish Famine, and it is the subject of our conversation today.

In this engaging discussion, Paula Marantz Cohen, Dean Emerita at Drexel University and author of Talking Cure, explores the transformative power of conversation. She dives into the dynamics of familial chats versus casual banter, emphasizing genuine curiosity. Cohen examines gossip's detrimental impact on dialogue and highlights the joy of meaningful exchanges, especially during communal dining. Through anecdotes from sports commentary to Shakespeare discussion groups, she underscores the importance of listening and how conversations can civilize our interactions.

Anton Howes, official historian at the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, discusses the complexities of historical narratives and innovation. He delves into the contributions of Henry Court to the Industrial Revolution, challenging misconceptions about metallurgical processes. The conversation also tackles the myths around food canning and the economic roots of colonial resources, emphasizing the importance of rigorous historical scrutiny. Additionally, Howes highlights flaws in the peer review system and advocates for transparency in historical research.

During the age of the European Renaissance, a new people was discovered. Not the Aztecs, or the Maya, or the Inca, but a mysterious people with an intriguing language who had once dominated Europe itself. These were the Celts. And their discoverers were not conquistadores or maritime adventurers, but dusty scholars, learning their eighth or fourteenth language, rummaging through dusty manuscripts. Yet somehow, as my guest Ian Stewart describes in his new book The Celts: A Modern History, these dusty scholars birthed a craze for Celticness which has lasted into our own day. It also became linked to some of the most powerful forces in the modern world, nationalism and racialism. How this happened is the argument of Ian Stewart’s book and the topic of our conversation today. Ian Stewart is a Research Fellow at the University of Edinburgh. The Celts is his first book.